The company asked American drivers about their plans and ability to spruce up their vehicles after winter's harsh weather — including getting their cars in peak condition, from the interior to exterior and under the hood.

According to the Hankook Tire Gauge Index quarterly survey, many Americans focus on vehicle clean up, with a full two-thirds (67 percent) indicating they clean the inside and outside of their cars — ahead of both cleaning house (59 percent) and closets (59 percent). The company cited the Car Care Council that washing and cleaning a vehicle helps protect a motorist's investment while preventing the buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt that can harm a car's finish.

(Don't laugh, but Hankook reminded drivers to make sure to close their windows if they plan on getting their vehicles washed — noting one in 10 Americans admitted to leaving their car windows open during the wash.)

Wayne-based Hankook's survey stressed the importance of automotive maintenance, finding that 66 percent of respondents said they encounter potholes on their daily driving commute.

Photo

“If your vehicle is not properly maintained, a pothole can cause significant damage to one's tires, suspension, steering system and even engine,” the tire marketer said.

Considering that 46 percent of Americans estimate they expect to hit at least 11 potholes this spring, Hankook offered a checklist for drivers to follow as National Car Care Month kicks off:

Check your tires — Provided they are properly maintained, tires can help prevent potholes from damaging a car. The company's latest index revealed that 51 percent of Americans do not regularly check their tire pressure and 33 percent do not know how to do that. For best performance, Hankook recommended inflating a vehicle's tires to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure — the information can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Learn to change a tire — More than one-third (40 percent) of all drivers on the road do not know how to change a flat, the company index found. Among female drivers, that number increases to 60 percent. “A flat tire is one of the most frequent car mishaps, yet 17 percent of drivers ages 18-34 do not have a spare in their car or they are not sure where it is located,” Hankook said. “Take the time to learn the process so you are ready the next time a pothole sneaks up on you.”

Choose the right tire — The company also recommended that, with the change in seasons, motorists switch to more season-appropriate tires for their vehicles.

“Our quarterly Hankook Gauge Index helps us understand what is top of mind for American drivers around the country,” said Henry Kopacz, public relations and social media manager for Hankook. “As we head into National Car Care Month, our latest survey highlights the importance of vehicle care and tire maintenance to ensure safe driving.

“There are simple actions that drivers can take to improve the safety of their vehicle, and we want to make sure drivers are equipped with the proper tools and knowledge to do so.”

Hankook said it conducts its quarterly surveys to uncover American drivers' attitudes and opinions about all things related to driving. The spring installment of the survey was conducted March 21-22, polling 1,020 randomly selected Americans on spring driving.

Letter

to the

Editor

Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].